With the first day of racing for the 2000 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship scheduled for Saturday 29, Sydney Harbour turned on light shifty conditions for the practice race.

A total of 250 entrants from 37 nations lined up for the practice race which is billed as much as a test for the race management as the competitors. And most race committees had several opportunities to practice their starting drills as fleets pushed the line harder than might be expected when the serious racing starts. With the majority of competitors peeling off before the finish it proved impossible to establish any form for the event which ISAF regard as second in importance only to The Olympic Games.

As the youngest competitor at the Olympics, Siren Sundby (NOR) is alone in representing her country at both the senior and youth event in Sydney this year. At the Olympics Sundby competed in the Europe class while at the youth worlds she will be taking part in the Byte which has been selected as the girl’s singlehanded class for 2000.

Great Britain has two crews competing who will be following in the behind their older siblings. Mark Howard will be following in the footsteps of his brother Matt in the Laser class. Paul Campbell-James’ older brother Mark, 420 representative at the Volvo Youth Worlds in South Africa (1998) is in Sydney giving support to his younger brother.

Tonight (Friday December 29) sees the opening ceremony for the event take place at the International College of Hotel and Tourism Management in Manly.

Racing will commence at midday on December 30 with two races scheduled. Light to moderate north-east to south-east winds are forecast.

Only one race will be held on Sunday (December 31), with New Year’s day (Monday) a scheduled rest-day. Racing continues with two races per day scheduled until January 5.

Classes Racing are:

Boys Singlehanded – Laser

Girls Singlehanded – Byte

Boys Doublehanded – 420

Girls Doublehanded – 420

Boys Sailboard – Mistral IMCO

Girls Sailboard – Mistral IMCO